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She said: “I am the only woman on the board of the LLEP and we want more women, but they are not applying. We are not as well networked as the guys, but we need to apply for jobs and roles such as this.

“At a recent Midlands Engine meeting there was only me and a female MP round the table.

“We need to encourage each other to apply and look at how we can get better networked.

“Networking is so often about going out drinking, but I want an event where I will learn something.”

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Emma Anderson, the Freeths’ director co-ordinating the initiative, said: “We plan to hold quarterly events with our first one in the autumn which will focus on a number of the issues which came out of our conversations over the past few weeks.”

She said these include:

A high-level focus on networking skills including developing networks and putting them to good use

A workshop session focusing on insights and practical tools for professional women

A regular business/economic briefing

A workshop session on difficult conversations and how best to deal with them

Events involving guest speakers with experiences/stories to tell.

Emma added: “These give an indication of the areas that we will initially be focusing on.

“But we would want to make the point that this is an ongoing conversation and we hope to engage with our invitees on a regular basis so that we can plan events which are tailored to their needs and give them something to take away from each session or discuss with colleagues and contacts or to help them in their career development – or all three.”

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Freeths’ partner Lisa Gilligan said: “We are excited at Freeths to be launching this initiative which we hope will encourage and help professional women to develop a collaborative and supportive network.

“Our launch at The Case was extremely positive with an encouraging response from all those present.”

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Another attendee, Freeths partner Emma Tattersdill, said: “The style of the event (including the venue) and the number and quality of guests made for a very constructive conversation with plenty of ideas coming forward for future events.

“Our guests clearly shared our view that the group should have a specific focus, rather than being “just another networking group”, and that the discussion should stay positive.”